Better Homes Kingston

Better Homes Kingston is a program to encourage homeowners to undertake deep-energy retrofits. Homeowners who participate in the program will qualify for local improvement charge (LIC) financing of up to $40,000 loans at 0% interest, with the option for an initial 30% upfront to pre-pay contractors for your services. Click the image to the left to learn more about the program.

Better Homes Kingston Update

The Better Homes Kingston program launched on April 11th and as of November 2nd the City has received 470 applications. FCM approved the Better Homes Kingston program and established the following key performance indicators over the four years of the funded program: Year 1 (2022) – 25 projects, Year 2 – 125 projects, Year 3 - 150 projects and Year 4 – 200 projects. In just six months, applications have exceeded our plans not only for the 1st year but for the entire 4 years of the program.

The program has been an overwhelming success. The $12 million funded LIC program has already allocated over $11M for approved applications to date. In order to ensure that the City does not over subscribe the program, staff will be temporarily suspending application intake for Better Homes Kingston on Tuesday, November 8th. After November 8th, staff will establish a wait list for residents who are interested in participating and they will be contacted if or when allocated funding is released from those participants already registered but do not continue in the program. Other municipalities who did not suspend applications oversubscribed their program, creating disappointment among homeowners that applied and were unsuccessful. This reflected poorly on the program and could be avoided in Kingston.

Staff will continue working with the approved applicants to complete their energy retrofits in a timely manner. Five projects have been completed to date which have achieved the following reductions in GHG emissions or reduction in electricity consumption:

• BHK-0006 – 78.33% GHG emissions reduction achieved with cold climate air source heat pump (CCASHP) and 8.9 kW solar install

• BHK-0146 – 58.7% GHG emissions reduction with CCASHP install

• BHK-0168 – 32% Electricity consumption reduction achieved with CCASHP install

• BHK-0057 – 50% GHG emissions reduction achieved with CCASHP install

• BHK-0131 – 68.92% GHG emissions reduction achieved with CCASHP and subfloor spray foam insulation

The LIC financing is the primary focus of the initial years of Better Homes Kingston implementation as required under the FCM funding model. The long-term goal of Better Homes Kingston, as presented in Report Number EITP-21-007, will be to transition to third-party financing through utility providers, contractors, equipment suppliers, financial

institutions or other private capital investment. Staff have recently begun researching the options for third-party financing which will be presented to Council in 2023.

Notice regarding the closing of applications will be posted on the City’s website as well as communicated on the City’s social media channels. A news release will also be issued on November 8th.

Questions about Better Homes Kingston can be directed to Julie Salter-Keane at jsalter-keane@cityofkingston.ca.

Other Home Improvement Programs

Kingston-Frontenac Renovates Program

The Kingston-Frontenac Renovates program offers eligible homeowners grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more accessible or interest-free loans of up to $10,000 toward urgent repairs. Click the image to the left to learn more about the program. Any questions can be directed to Housing Department at 613-546-2695 ext. 4949 or housing@cityofkingston.ca.